Issue - meetings

At its meeting of 29^th June 2016, Cabinet resolved to proceed with the next stage of the Devolution Deal announced in March 2016. As part of that decision Cabinet approved the Governance Scheme for public consultation.

Cabinet also resolved to:

“d)  Authorise the Chief Executive to subsequently submit to the

Secretary of State;

i.  the Governance Scheme;

ii. the consultation responses received (or an appropriate

summary); and

iii. any further consultation response that the Council itself may

wish to make to the Secretary of State for the Department

of Communities and Local Government;

e)   Authorise the Chief Executive to make any minor amendments or

corrections to the governance scheme to enable publication of the

scheme for public consultation.

f)   Refer any resulting Order to Cabinet for approval.”

This report now provides Cabinet with an update of the actions taken since the 29th June, and asks Cabinet to consider the following recommendations.

Ian Bell (Bath Business Community) said that Bath Business Community were very keen to see the Devolution deal accepted.  It was the right thing to take the deal through the consultation with public and stakeholders, and the deal would give some certainty to the whole area.  Ian Bell concluded his statement by saying that some members of the Bath Business Community did not like the word, or concept, of Mayor though they had congratulated the Council on successful negotiations with the government in terms of the deal.

Councillor Robin Moss said that he was disappointed that the decision on Devolution would be taken by the Cabinet, and not the Council.  Councillor Moss felt that this was a major change in partnership work with other Councils, and for that reason the decision should be taken by the Full Council.  Councillor Moss concluded his statement by saying that, in general, Labour Group had approved principles of the Devolution.

Councillor Dine Romero expressed her concerns that, taking into account the importance of the matter, a short report on the Devolution was only available in the last few days.  Councillor Romero also expressed her concerns that only small portion of the population took part in the consultation.  Councillor Romero concluded her statement by suggesting that the Combined Authority should have a Chair and not a Mayor.

David Redgewell address the Cabinet as per his statement sent in advance of the meeting [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website].

Trevor Osbourne also welcomed the Devolution deal and the retention of business rates.  Trevor Osbourne did express his concern on the fact that Bristol was built through trade and Bath through culture, and that we must recognise that two cities would have different needs.  Trevor Osbourne also expressed his concern on business rates retention in Bath by highlighting that culture, further education, voluntary sector, charity and small independent traders do not pay business rates.

Councillor Tim Warren said this was a key moment on what had been a long journey for the Council, and its neighbours, to ensure we get the best possible deal from Government for our residents now and for the future.  The paper had set out the draft order for the creation of the new West of England Combined authority which would be the vehicle for us receiving and delivering many of the powers and funding we had been lobbying and negotiating for over the last months.  The area had achieved the best deal, one that far outweighs any other devolution deal done elsewhere in the country.  In terms of protections for our area, we had secured more safeguards than any other deal in the country. This wasn’t an easy journey because Devolution involves central government giving up control on things and that was not easy for it to do. There was still a lot of work to be done so that we benefit from the deal.

Councillor Tim Warren moved the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57